NEW YORK Sharpe Partners has formed a department dedicated to relationship marketing and media to take advantage of the Internet as a direct response and branding tool.
"This is a natural outgrowth of what clients need," said Kathy Sharpe, CEO of the New York-based digital shop. "We need to provide both [direct marketing and branding] and combine them."
The new offering is an extension of the database marketing and media services already provided by the i-shop that aim to help clients start, strengthen and sustain relationships with customers, Sharpe added.
The unit will be led by Bill Hewson, who has been director of client strategy at Sharpe Partners since October. Marlena Schwarz, who also has the title of director of client strategy, will absorb most of Hewson's former duties.
Prior to joining Sharpe Partners, Hewson spent six years at Norwalk, Conn.-based Modem Media, where he helped marketers like Delta and Philips build customer relationships. He also has worked at Wunderman and Geer, Dubois, both New York.